Link: Health Care Trackers Blog
A great post with specifics about the benefits of EHRs. My comments below in italics.
Health information recording and clinical data repository - immediate access to patient diagnoses, allergies, and lab test results that enable better, more timely medical decisions.
Sharing of information, connectivity and interoperability - provides information to caregivers, supports teamwork among caregivers, and helps support continuity of care across the span of a clinical condition.
Accessing information—Results management - provides rapid ability to analyze current and historical test results.
Medication management - a huge benefit because it can provide real-time access information for online ordering lab, radiology, procedures, immunizations, supplies, and education regarding potential adverse drug events.
Order entry and management - provides online entry and storage of physician orders for medications, tests and other services.
Decision support—Office work flow management-Standards of care - Wow this is a huge advantage with real-time access. The ability to capture and use quality medical data for decisions in the workflow of healthcare delivery is essential.
Consider this scenario:
- Healthcare providers must follow an accepted standard of care.
- The way care is provided in a clinic, hospital, or medical office can help or hinder the quality of care provided (e.g. slow, inefficient, inaccurate records).
- Decisions should be based on... quality medical data, evidence based practice, solid medical science.
How long does this take?
Can papers be lost?
Can results be delayed?
Can patients always be reached?
I believe appropriate use of electronic records can solve many of these problems, but only if it is used correctly and providers are educated. It's not the tool that delivers better results, it's how the tool is used.
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